Tuesday Night

Our Pictorial Past

Looking Back: It's All About Belonging

Over the years, there have been many organizations and clubs in the Wenatchee area.

We have had granges, service clubs, fraternal lodges, philanthropic organizations, groups geared to recreation, youth, hobbies and so on.

They had varied purposes and missions and most developed strong bases of membership. Some served niche interests but others had broad programs to include children and youth as well as adult members.

While some groups have come and gone over the years, others are still going strong today.

Let's go back to 1963 and take a look at some of the organizations back then that you may remember:

SQUARE DANCING

Among the most colorful facilities developed by Wenatchee square dance groups was The Barn in East Wenatchee.

It was not only a place for dancing but for meetings and dinners.

Through the years, the building served as a church, a packing shed, grange hall and a shelter for old machinery.

Around 1957, 10 couples of the Appleland Promenaders bought it and made extensive improvements. In 1963, when this photo was taken, it was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence McCurry, foreground.

The Barn was also rented to other square dance groups.

APPLEATCHEE RIDERS

The Appleatchee Riders was one of the best-known family clubs in the valley... and it still is. It was organized in 1947.

In 1963, their facility was on a tract of about 12 acres near Millerdale and Red Apple Road.

It had 168 stalls with room for guest horses in corrals and tie racks, a track, outdoor barbecue and a chuck wagon. In the clubhouse, more than 200 families would gather for potluck dinners, banquets, square dancing and breakfasts.

In 1972, the Millerdale property was sold to the school district as a new site for Wenatchee High School and the club bought property on Circle Street.

Mrs. Ed Metcalf and Mel Berry are in the photo. Charlie Brown, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lea Brown, rides Bonnet in the background.

EASTSIDE GARDEN CLUB

One of three garden clubhouses in the state was owned by the 75-member East Wenatchee Garden Club, organized in 1927.

Among the charter members was Mrs. Karl Gussman, who persuaded her husband to let the club meet in a packing shed owned by the family. The women moved in, built a fireplace and later bought the building.